Police release teacher killer suspect

A man questioned about the murder of teacher Jane Longhurst has been released on police bail.

Sussex police said the 35-year-old suspect from Hove was released without charge after being quizzed by detectives at a police station in Brighton.

The man, who has not been officially named, was detained on Thursday at an address in Hove.

News of his arrest was announced as Miss Longhurst's family gathered for a press conference earlier today.

The man, who police had spoken to at least once before, was held in custody in the same building where Miss Longhurst's sister and mother paid emotional tributes and renewed their appeals for information.

Police said it was believed Miss Longhurst knew the suspect. It is thought he is the boyfriend of one of her friends, although officers would not confirm that.

Forensic teams were seen entering an address in Waterloo Street in Hove, just a couple of hundred yards from the seafront.

Miss Longhurst, 31, who taught at a school for children with learning difficulties in Brighton, vanished from her home in the city, which she shared with her partner Malcolm Sentance, 34, on March 14.

Her burning body was found on Saturday in woodland at Wiggonholt Common, near Pulborough, West Sussex. Detectives believe she was strangled shortly after her disappearance and her body was kept "somewhere cool" for up to five weeks.

They have suggested that her murderer "panicked" over the Easter weekend, dumping and setting alight to the body in an area of countryside that was clearly visible from footpaths and a road.